JBJ ATO Problems

[asonitez]

I don't know whats going on with my JBJ ATO. It seemed to work fine for a few days or was it my imagination. In either case. I currently have the thing set to Mode A.

In Mode A 1 Sensor is in the Sump 1 Is in the Resovior. The thought is that once the Ato is at a level when it drops the pump cuts on and fills it up. Fair enough.


My Problem seems to be that the pump only runs for a few minutes and then dosent fill it up to the line. It cuts out with space to go. I thought maybe well the time the pump can run needs to be increased. So. I increased the Time from 3 to 14 minutes and still nothing. I am at a loss as to what to do. The pump will run and then cut off leaving the "pump" light dim. If I switch to B and then back to A it cuts on again. I'm lost.

[asonitez]

anyone?

[stlrams88]

I have had a JBJ ATO for about a month now with no problems. Same thing mine is set to A. I am not sure i know what you mean by filling up to the line though. The pump is only going to pump until your sump sensor float switch is at the top again. The only thing I could think of is maybe you have your reservoir sensor too high on the reservoir, and it is tripping when the pump takes out some water, causing the pump to cut off. May sound confusing, but that is the best way i can put it. My reservoir sensor and my reservoir pump are both at the bottom of the reservoir, and my pump is lower than the sensor is.

[Squidward5]

What size pump do you have on it?

[asonitez]

I have a Tom Aquatics Aqua Lifter. Should I put my Pump Lower than the Sensors???

[stlrams88]

my pump is lower than my sensor, just in case my ato reservoir sensor goes down, the pump wont run dry. I would suggest putting it lower than your sensor.

[asonitez]

I'll give it a go and see if it changes anything.

[stlrams88]

If your ato is keeping your sump at a pretty constant level I wouldnt worry about it too much.

[asonitez]

I don't want to worry but I don't think its working right. Does your ATO make a buzzing noise or alarm? I've never heard mine do that.

[asonitez]

JBJ - told me today that it was my Aqualifters that were unable to supply enough to the tank. I think its B/S


First off.

The aqualifter pumps 3.5 gals a hr. I don't evap that much water in 1hr. I currently have it set at its highest setting. 14 minutes. In 14 minutes it should pump enough water to fix any fluctuations. The manufacturer is reccomending that I use a maxijet 1200 to refill.

How many other people use the Aqualifter as a ATO device?

[stlrams88]

3.5 gph? I use a maxi-jet 1200 as my ato pump it runs for about 3 seconds. And yes it does have an audible alarm.

[runningstix]

I started with the aqualifter wanted to kill myself took 15 minutes. maxijet 1200 takes 10! audible alarm yes! I have both sensors in the sump!

[TWallace]

I use a Mini-Jet 606 set to nearly minimum flow (82gph). I tried a Tom Aquatics Aqua Lifter and found that it clogged way too easily. I was using kalkwasser in my reservoir at the time. I don't now, but I do dose my calcium, alk and mag supplements into my top off reservoir, so it's usually some pretty cloudy water being pumped into the sump. I don't trust the Tom Aquatics pump to deal with that without clogging. I think a Maxi Jet 1200 is overkill. A mini-jet 404 should be adequate for most tanks. It's very weak, so it will pump in pretty slow.

I have a MJ 600 in the reservoir for mixing. It's plugged into the ATO as well, so it's mixing as it pumps into the sump. Causes some cloudiness in the tank, but it clears within 10 or so minutes usually.

[reefrick.M]

What is your feet of head with the pump? I have both my BioCubes set up with ATO's and Aqualifters. They are very weak pumps, if they have to pump up any kind of distance they will just barely drip in. Your ATO timer will trip before your water level is reached.

[rdelong]

I also tripped to the aqualifters being too small even before I read the remaining posts. I'd switch to a higher capacity makeup pump.

[asonitez]

its not far but i dont think its more than 30 inches. I will switch to a better pump.

[Canadian]

Or you can run two Aqualifters in series - that's what I do as I have to pump up about 4 feet. The two pumps in series makes a huge difference and I get pretty good flow that way.

[dbrann11]

I'm using the JBJ with the aqualifter, there is about 10" between the end of the line in the reservoir and the end of the line into the sump. I haven't seen any issues with it maintaining level. The timer did trip when bringing it up to the line the 1st time, but since it got to the correct level it has stayed there. I get a constant stream, no real pressure but more than a drip when the pump is on. The pump is about 6" about the reservoir if that matters. I evaporate about 3 quarts/day.

[asonitez]

which is why i think the manufacturer is full of it. what setting do you have it on? i have it on A. one in the sump 1 in the resiovr. it still dosent maintain level.

[rgulrich]

This link may help:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_Aquari...formation.html
It shows how (with pictures, as well) to reset the timer for the auto shut off to 14 minutes. I went through that with mine. I also put mine on a manual timer so it powers down every 15 minutes (and subsequently resets the inboard timer to zero).
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ray

[asonitez]

I did increase the time to 14 minutes. I think I have to try a larger pump I guess. Last night I switched the sensors and this morning the tank still seemed level and topped off. The real test will be this afternoon when I get home from work. Either (A) a good amount of air bubbles or (B) It will be level and topped off. I hope its fine.

[dbrann11]

I'm using mode A, and I only use 1 sensor, nothing in the reservoir.

[asonitez]

I'm about do do like you Dbrann11. What do you use to pump water back into the tank?

[Reefer08]

How long of a line is your airline tubing? The longer it is the slower it will push water.


Is your float valve in the right section of your sump?? It should be in the section near your return pump.

[rgulrich]

I use mine for top off through a kalk reactor, so I’m extremely careful about over dosing with high ph kalk. I have it set up with one sensor in the sump, sitting in the section with the return pump. With a manual timer on the outlet for the ATO set at fifteen minute intervals, it shuts down power to the ATO every fifteen minutes whether it is running or not, resetting the ATO’s internal (14 minute) timer. This allows the top off water to circulate a bit and decreases the chance for ph shock to the aquarium, while also allowing me to move up to two or three gallons a day (using a SP 3000 Peristaltic dosing pump rated at 0.8 gph) to make up for evaporation.

Two cents worth.

Ray